Bar Cham

Bar Cham is an absolute gem! The atmosphere here is fantastic—cozy, stylish, and inviting. The cocktail menu is incredible, offering a wide variety of delicious drinks that cater to all tastes. Each cocktail is beautifully presented, making it a feast for both the palate and the eyes. What truly sets Bar Cham apart is its staff. The bartenders are not only skilled but also incredibly knowledgeable. They speak excellent English and are happy to share the fascinating history behind each drink. It’s clear that they are passionate about their craft, and their expertise adds a special touch to the experience. A little tip: it’s best to arrive about 15 minutes before opening, as the place is super popular. Otherwise, you might end up 30th in line! If you’re looking for a place with great vibes, exceptional cocktails, and top-notch service, Bar Cham is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

Bar Cham is a craft cocktail bar located in an alley near Gwanghwamun. The bartenders are very friendly, speak relatively good English and quite attentive to all guests who enter. I was very lucky to score a seat at the counter on a Saturday night without any wait. I didn’t see any available weekend reservations the rest of the month online, so I must have gotten lucky. After receiving a cocktail menu, I spent a bit of time, perusing the many selections. I ended up starting with the 충주김밥 Chungju Gimbap, which had a peculiar savory flavor to it. It was not bad, but it took me a while to acclimate to its pickled, sweet and sour tasting notes. The second drink I tried was the 송편 Songpyeon, which is the name of a traditional type of rice cake. Bar Cham’s cocktail version had a lot of variety to it, including a couple drops of sesame oil and a green chocolate shaped like a songpyeon. The flavors were somewhat more conventional and pleasant. I was about to stop there, but I ended up ordering the Personal Color. It has a base of Hwayo 41 premium soju with fermented pear and lemon, topped with a whipped egg white and three colored drops. It was the most enjoyable of the three cocktails that I tried of the three. The creator of the drink proudly raised her hand when recognized by a fellow bartender. I was very glad that I had stopped by and had the opportunity to get a seat at the bar without a wait. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to experience the taste of Korea in a cocktail glass.

Well balanced cocktails with unique Korean flavors. Each drink was well thought through and executed. We loved talking with the bartenders as they were very welcoming and kind.

The drinks on Bar Cham’s vast menu are super creative and memorable. While the variety of cocktails may seem dizzying , they all share something in common : The use of traditional liquors to pay homage to Korean gastronomy . Prior to Bar Cham, I wouldn’t have considered an emulsion of sesame oil and wasabi to be a winning cocktail combo. Yet the cocktail “Chungju Gimbap” successfully uses tokki soju, makgeolli-wasabi shrub, cucumber, and lemon — garnished with sesame oil— to pay homage to gimbap . “Songpyeon” , in another example, is an ode to savory-sweet traditional rice cake desserts. Each sip starts with the unmistakably bright whiff of sesame oil, followed by subtly sweet hues of pungjeong sakye dong, wangyuju , cinnamon, mugwort, and milk, leading up to you ingesting a piece of chocolate in the center of the emulsion….

❤️ Overview: It was my husband and I’s second day in Seoul and we were walking around the Insadong area, when we wanted to give our feet a break from all the walking. We had dinner reservations at 8pm so I wanted to find us a bar to chill at until then. I came across this on Google luckily (since most people use Naver or KakaoMap) and we decided to come here. And man, I’m glad we did! There was a line of people already waiting right before it opened so we waited as well. The atmosphere was great, the bartenders were great, and the drinks were great as well! Our favorite bar we went to while we were in South Korea honestly! ❤️What was ordered: DRINKS: Jeju, One Fine Spring Day, Goodbye Sadness, Wonju - All from their 5.5th Menu which was a mix menu of their top cocktails from the past 5 years. FOOD: Lasagna ❤️Stand outs: One Fine Spring Day and Jeju Cocktail ❤️Would I come back/recommend: Yes - I would definitely come back Yes - I would definitely recommend

We had such a fabulous time here not only because of the unique drinks but also thanks to the amazing service, each and everyone of the staff member, so hospitable & charming, just like its name! In case you didn’t manage to make a reservation like us, suggest to arrive at least 30 mins opening time. We came 15 mins earlier & there was already quite a queue. We got our table almost 1.5 hr later, but overall such a great experience.

The best experience I have had at any city in any bar around the world! One of the highlights of our time in Seoul, and an absolute must for anyone visiting. In particular, Ben (one of our bartenders) went above and beyond to make our experience feel special. They even shared recommendations for great places to eat and explore during our time in Seoul. Harin (Lin) prepared excellent cocktails which each came with a detailed and interesting explanation. Thank you so much for such an incredible memory from our time in Korea, that we will never forget!

I don't know how to start this review or the main aspects to highlight about Bar Cham. But I'll start with the basics, the superb attention from all the staff! I arrived without a reservation so I had to wait. The staff was super friendly and helped me with the digital reservation you can made in a tablet that they have at the entrance. The wait to enter the establishment was very short. The small establishment with traditional Korean architecture that invites diners to enjoy a cozy atmosphere that is enhanced by the hospitality of the staff makes you feel like you've arrived with old friends. The explanation of the six-course menu is detailed and highly interesting. The starter cocktails are old fashioned, with citrus flavors that relax the palate and prepare the diner to try mirw complexity drinks flavors. The cocktails bases in tea and shiitake mushroom infusions are a sensory experience that play with cocoa aromas, followed by white tea and the aftertaste of vermouth. What can I say about the sides, without a doubt the food competes with some of the Michelin star dishes I've tried in Seoul. The sauce was the star of the cham boiled pork slice (pork belly). I loved that they use local liquors and highlight the richness of Korean culture through their cocktails. But back to the initial point, the most important thing and why I highly recommend Bar Cham is the warmth and attention of all their staff. Thank you for allowing me to taste their drinks and live an unforgettable experience in Seoul. You need order Jeju # 2